Russian State Duma Finalizes Comprehensive Framework for Normalizing Crypto Trading - FinanceFeeds

The Russian State Duma's Landmark Bill on Cryptocurrency Trading

 

The Russian State Duma has officially finalized a groundbreaking draft bill aimed at integrating cryptocurrency trading into the formal economy. This marks a pivotal step away from years characterized by regulatory ambiguity and uncertainty in Russia's approach to digital currencies. Anatoly Aksakov, the Chairman of the Financial Markets Committee, announced on January 14, 2026, that the legislation is set for consideration in the upcoming spring session. The legislation aims to transition digital assets away from "special financial regulation" frameworks and treat them as standard financial instruments. This change is driven by the need to provide clarity to the approximately 20 million Russian citizens already engaged in the digital economy. By clarifying the legal status of cryptocurrencies for both domestic and international operations, the Russian government aims to professionalize the sector and better integrate it into the broader civil and financial codes.

 

Individual Investment Thresholds and Professional Market Participant Integration

 

A key component of the finalized bill is the creation of a tiered participation model aimed at facilitating market growth while ensuring the protection of retail investors. Non-professional or "non-qualified" investors will be allowed to purchase up to 300,000 rubles worth of digital assets annually through a single regulated intermediary, contingent upon meeting specific risk-disclosure requirements. Conversely, professional financial market participants will not be subject to these volume restrictions, thereby enabling large-scale institutional activities that are likely to enhance domestic liquidity significantly. Additionally, the bill lays down the legal foundation for Russian-based cryptocurrency exchanges and brokers to operate under federal oversight. The State Duma believes that this approach will reduce the prevalence of fraudulent schemes involving foreign platforms and improve the efficiency of tax collection from digital asset gains.

 

Leveraging Digital Assets for International Trade and Sanctions Resilience

 

The new legislation extends beyond domestic trading by focusing on the application of digital assets for international settlements. It positions cryptocurrencies as a strategic tool to maintain global trade in a challenging economic climate. The bill permits Russian companies to use both cryptocurrencies and stablecoins for cross-border contracts, provided these transactions are settled through authorized infrastructure and comply with stringent anti-money laundering protocols. This initiative is designed to complement the domestic roll-out of the digital ruble, thereby establishing a dual-layered digital economy where the state-controlled Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) manages domestic payments while private digital assets facilitate foreign trade. With the legislative framework anticipated to be fully operational by July 1, 2026, Russia aims to establish itself as a major global hub for tokenized finance and regulated crypto innovation.